# Ryan Neal
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ryan_Neal
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ryan_Neal.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Neal
> Source revision: 1317045563
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ryan Neal
| image =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = [Safety](/source/Safety_(gridiron_football_position))
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|12|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [Hammond, Indiana](/source/Hammond%2C_Indiana), U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 200
| high_school = [Merrillville](/source/Merrillville_High_School) {{avoid wrap|([Merrillville, Indiana](/source/Merrillville%2C_Indiana))}}
| college = [Southern Illinois](/source/Southern_Illinois_Salukis_football) (2014–2017)
| undraftedyear = 2018
| pastteams =
* [Philadelphia Eagles](/source/Philadelphia_Eagles) ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
* [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons) ({{NFL Year|2018}})
* [Seattle Seahawks](/source/Seattle_Seahawks) ({{NFL Year|2019|2022}})
* [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = [Total tackles](/source/Tackle_(football_move))
| statvalue1 = 239
| statlabel2 = [Sacks](/source/Quarterback_sack)
| statvalue2 = 2.0
| statlabel3 = [Forced fumbles](/source/Fumble)
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = [Fumble recoveries](/source/Fumble)
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = [Pass deflections](/source/Pass_deflected)
| statvalue5 = 16
| statlabel6 = [Interceptions](/source/Interceptions)
| statvalue6 = 3
| pfr = N/NealRy00
}}
'''Ryan Christopher Neal''' (born December 24, 1995) is an American professional [football](/source/American_football) [safety](/source/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Southern Illinois Salukis](/source/Southern_Illinois_Salukis_football), and has been a member of the [Philadelphia Eagles](/source/Philadelphia_Eagles), [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons), [Seattle Seahawks](/source/Seattle_Seahawks), and [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) while in the NFL.
==College career==
Neal played four seasons at [Southern Illinois](/source/Southern_Illinois_Salukis_football), compiling 226 career [tackles](/source/tackled_gridiron), 6.5 [tackles for loss](/source/tackles_for_loss), five [interceptions](/source/interceptions) and 19 passes defensed.[{{cite web|url=https://dailyegyptian.com/82639/sports/three-salukis-sign-nfl-deals/|title=Three Salukis sign NFL deals|first=Nathan|last=Dodd|work=[The Daily Egyptian](/source/The_Daily_Egyptian)|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}]
==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 7/8
| weight = 187
| dash = 4.47
| ten split = 1.58
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.29
| cone drill = 7.18
| vertical = 37.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 7
| bench = 15
| arm span = 31 3/4
| hand span = 8 3/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from [Pro Day](/source/Pro_Day)[{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131630&DraftYear=2018 |title=Ryan Neal, Southern Illinois, FS, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=October 17, 2021}}]
}}
===Philadelphia Eagles===
Neal signed with the [Philadelphia Eagles](/source/Philadelphia_Eagles) as an [undrafted free agent](/source/undrafted_free_agent) on April 28, 2018.[{{cite web|url=https://thesouthern.com/sports/college/salukimania/former-saluki-ryan-gibson-signs-free-agent-deal-with-philadelphia/article_c54b173b-da83-5c36-a499-cacc46c26be2.html|title=Former Saluki Ryan Gibson signs free agent deal with Philadelphia|first=Todd|last=Hefferman|work=TheSouthern.com|publisher=The Southern Illinoisian|date=April 28, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}] He was waived by the team during [training camp](/source/training_camp_(NFL)) on August 6, 2018.[{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/ryan-neal-released-by-philadelphia/|title=Ryan Neal: Released by Philadelphia|website=[CBSSports.com](/source/CBSSports.com)|date=August 6, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}]
===Atlanta Falcons===
Neal was signed by the [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons) on August 11, 2018.[{{cite web|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-defensive-back-ryan-neal-waive-tackle-kendall-calhoun|title=Falcons sign defensive back Ryan Neal, waive tackle Kendall Calhoun|first=Will|last=McFadden|work=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 11, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}] However, he failed to make the 53-man roster out of training camp and was subsequently re-signed by the Falcons to the team's [practice squad](/source/practice_squad) on September 2, 2018.[{{cite web|url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2018/9/2/17812380/falcons-announce-ten-practice-squad-signings-still-have-one-open-spot-ryan-neal-kurt-benkert|title=Falcons announce ten practice squad signings, still have one open spot|first=Dave|last=Choate|work=TheFalcoholic.com|publisher=[SB Nation](/source/SB_Nation)|date=September 2, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}] Neal was promoted to the Falcons active roster on November 28, 2018.[{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/shelby-placed-neal-promote-roster/Ywi3rSbOuRLl2XloobQ2hM/|title=Falcons' Shelby placed on IR; Ryan Neal promoted to roster|first=D. Orlando|last=Ledbetter|work=[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)|date=November 28, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}] Neal made his NFL debut on December 9, 2018, in a 34–20 loss to the [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers), playing on special teams in the only regular season appearance of his rookie season.[{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/whad-dan-quinn-said-after-the-loss-the-packers/raUIltR0EhijQQ09Orb9wI/|title=What Dan Quinn said after loss to Packers|first=D. Orlando|last=Ledbetter|work=AJC.com|publisher=[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)|date=December 9, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}}] Neal was waived by the Falcons as part of the team's final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.[{{cite web|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2019-roster-announced|title=Falcons 2019 roster announced|first=Will|last=McFadden|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 31, 2019|access-date=September 2, 2019}}]
===Seattle Seahawks===
Neal was signed to the [Seattle Seahawks](/source/Seattle_Seahawks) practice squad on September 2, 2019.[{{cite web|url=https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/02/a-look-at-the-newcomers-on-seattle-seahawks-practice-squad/|title=A look at the newcomers on Seattle Seahawks practice squad|first=Andy|last=Patton|website=Seahawks Wire|publisher=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)|date=September 2, 2019|access-date=September 2, 2019}}] The Seahawks promoted Neal to the active roster on December 11, 2019.[{{cite web|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-promote-ryan-neal-from-practice-squad-place-neiko-thorpe-on-injured-res|title=Seahawks Promote Ryan Neal From Practice Squad, Place Neiko Thorpe On Injured Reserve|first=John|last=Boyle|website=Seahawks.com|date=December 11, 2019}}]
Neal re-signed with the Seahawks on April 20, 2020.[{{cite news |title=Seahawks' Ryan Neal: Staying in Seattle |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/seahawks-ryan-neal-staying-in-seattle/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=April 20, 2020 |accessdate=April 21, 2020}}] He was waived on September 5,[{{cite web|title=Seahawks Make Roster Moves To Establish Initial 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-make-roster-moves-to-establish-initial-53-man-roster|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 5, 2020}}] and signed to the practice squad the next day.[{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad, Including LB Shaquem Griffin|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-14-players-to-practice-squad-including-lb-shaquem-griffin|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 6, 2020}}] He was elevated to the active roster on September 26 for the team's week 3 game against the [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys).[{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=John |title=Seahawks Activate LB Shaquem Griffin & CB Ryan Neal From Practice Squad |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-activate-lb-shaquem-griffin-cb-ryan-neal-from-practice-squad |website=Seahawks.com |date=September 26, 2020 |accessdate=October 8, 2020}}] With six seconds remaining in the game, he intercepted [Dak Prescott](/source/Dak_Prescott) in the end zone, sealing a 38–31 victory for the Seahawks.[{{cite news |author=Boyd, James |title=Former Merrillville star Ryan Neal makes game-clinching interception for Seattle Seahawks |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/former-merrillville-star-ryan-neal-makes-game-clinching-interception-for-seattle-seahawks/article_0fa69662-1c71-5dd8-8dba-95c47a00b668.html |website=NWITimes.com |date=September 30, 2020 |accessdate=October 8, 2020}}] After automatically reverting to the practice squad following the game, Neal was promoted to the active roster on September 30.[{{cite web|title=Seahawks Promote Ryan Neal From Practice Squad; Sign Two To Practice Squad|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-promote-ryan-neal-from-practice-squad-sign-two-to-practice-squad|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 30, 2020}}] On October 4, with Adams and [Lano Hill](/source/Lano_Hill) still injured, he made his first start for the Seahawks in a game against the [Miami Dolphins](/source/Miami_Dolphins).[{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/seahawks-ryan-neal-slated-to-start-sunday/|title=Seahawks' Ryan Neal: Slated to start Sunday}}] Neal made 6 tackles, and also collected his second interception, from [Ryan Fitzpatrick](/source/Ryan_Fitzpatrick).[{{Cite web|url=https://thesouthern.com/sports/college/salukimania/salukis-in-the-nfl-neal-picks-off-another-chinn-leads-panthers-with-8-stops/article_727ec8b2-0e3d-5280-8edc-9f352eef05dd.html|title = Salukis in the NFL: Neal picks off another, Chinn leads Panthers with 8 stops}}]
Neal signed a one-year [exclusive-rights free agent](/source/exclusive-rights_free_agent) tender with the Seahawks on June 8, 2021.[{{cite news |author=Boyle, John |title=Seahawks Sign WR Travis Toivonen |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-wr-travis-toivonen |website=Seahawks.com |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021}}]
Neal's restricted free agent tender that he was offered in the 2023 off-season was rescinded by the team on March 31, 2023. This move by the Seahawks officially made Neal a free agent.
===Tampa Bay Buccaneers===
Neal signed with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) on April 4, 2023.[{{cite web|title=Bucs Add Ascending Safety Ryan Neal to Secondary|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-add-ascending-safety-ryan-neal-to-secondary|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=April 6, 2023}}] He played in 15 games with 13 starts, recording a career-high 76 tackles.
On December 4, 2024, Neal was re-signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad.[{{cite web|title=Bucs Sign Safety Ryan Neal to Practice Squad|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-safety-ryan-neal-practice-squad|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=December 4, 2024}}] He was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025.[{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Scott |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Jordan Whitehead Injured in Auto Accident, Placed on Reserve/NFI |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/jordan-whitehead-injured-auto-accident-placed-reserve-nfi |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=Buccaneers.com}}]
==Personal life==
Neal is the younger brother of former [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) [linebacker](/source/linebacker) [Mike Neal](/source/Mike_Neal).